Cologne in heat fever: record values and tropical nights!

Mülheim, Köln: Aktuelle Hitzewelle führt zu Rekordtemperaturen. Klimawandel verstärkt Wetterextreme in der Region.
Mülheim, Cologne: Current heat wave leads to record temperatures. Climate change increases weather extremes in the region. (Symbolbild/MK)

Cologne in heat fever: record values and tropical nights!

Keupstraße 25, 51103 Köln, Deutschland - Again and again the weather in Cologne revolves around the question: How hot does it get today? On July 2, the heat wave, which Germany captured, reached its peak in the cathedral city. According to Rheinische Adsblätter in Keupstrasse were already measured in the morning, while the temperatures in Zündorf rose to 38.9 degrees. This episode belongs to the third strongest heat wave that has ever been recorded in Cologne.

An interesting point: While the city offices are often warmer during the day, the city center shows exactly the opposite from the late afternoon hours. Here the heat collect through the buildings, which is then slowly released from 5 p.m. On the said night, it only cooled to 25.7 degrees in Keupstrasse, which is unique in German cities. Even on the surrounding mountain peaks, such as the Kölberg in the Siebengebirge, the temperatures of up to 28 degrees remain quite high at night.

climate change and its effects

The heat wave is not just a current mood of nature. According to the city of Cologne, which indicates various climatic changes, the frequency of such heat events has been increasing steadily in recent decades. Climate scientists Ed Hawkins developed the Warming Stripes to make these changes clear. A look at the color -coded strips shows that the years are getting hotter. The passionately red-colored stripes in recent years stand for rising average temperatures, which rose to 11.2 ° C in 2023 for North Rhine-Westphalia in 1888.

for Cologne illustrate the data that the city provides a clear development. In the cold year 1888 the temperature was 8.8 ° C, while the warmest year 2022 set a new record with 12.6 ° C. A stronger awareness of climate change and its consequences is now urgently necessary. The city of Cologne underlines that continuous monitoring of the climate and sustainable practices are essential.

A look at the weather data

A closer look at the temperature and precipitation data from 1940 to 2023 shows that many months recorded an increase in temperature. December is at the top with an increase of 3.09 ° C. An increase in rainfall by 0.74 mm in July is also another trend that is important for the Cologne population. An overview of essential climate data for Cologne:

month temperature 1940-1950 (° C) Temperature 2013-2023 (° C) temperature change (° C)
July 18.44 19.85 +1.40
In view of these developments, it is predicted that heat waves will continue to increase in the coming years. Meteorologist Karsten Brandt warns that a heat record of over 40 degrees in Cologne will be quite possible over the next five years. By 2050, even temperatures of 43 or 44 degrees could become a reality - for a city that is already considered Germany's hottest urban area.

In view of these alarming warnings, it is time to find Cologne: Inside and decision -makers: Inside find solutions together to deal with the extreme weather conditions. The future of the city depends on how it turns into the adjustments to climate change.

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OrtKeupstraße 25, 51103 Köln, Deutschland
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